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Paul Merrill, Public Information Officer - 207-624-3355 or 207-215-9297

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MaineDOT Announces Machias Dike Bridge Preservation Efforts and New Preferred Alternative for Replacement [ [link removed] ] 11/07/2023 12:05 PM EST
MACHIAS - The Maine Department of Transportation is taking action to preserve the safety and reliability of the Machias Dike Bridge after recent inspections showed increasing voids within the structure. Part of the shoulder and parking area on the southbound (upstream) side of the bridge are being closed today. In the coming months, the department is planning to put a temporary bridge over the existing structure to maintain traffic on the bridge and adjacent Sunrise Trail. The construction of this temporary bridge will result in the closure of Route 1 for approximately one week.

Bridge inspectors observed areas of concern during a routine bridge inspection in September. Divers returned to the area last week and observed new areas of soil loss between the concrete slab (under the road surface) and the timber that forms the top of the gated boxes.

Additionally, MaineDOT is changing its preferred alternative for the replacement of the Machias Dike Bridge. MaineDOT's new preferred alternative involves the continued use of fully gated culverts.

The Machias Dike Bridge carries Route 1 over the Middle River in the Town of Machias. The current structure dates to the Civil War era and is deteriorating. For the past several years, MaineDOT has been undertaking a feasibility study to improve or replace the existing bridge.

For the past 16 months, MaineDOT has continued to receive public and stakeholder input. The department has conducted an investigation of the former municipal landfill site and asked federal resource agencies, including the National Marine Fisheries Service, for clarifying information. Community stakeholders and landowners adjacent to the Middle River have repeatedly expressed concerns about the flooding that would be associated with a bridge alternative. This flooding would impact private property and the former landfill location. While MaineDOT realizes that some stakeholders may prefer a bridge alternative and tidal restoration, the department believes a fully gated culvert alternative will best meet the project's purpose and need. This alternative will improve the structure's condition, maintain the Sunrise Trail, provide for future rail use, and avoid flooding hundreds of acres of land.

MaineDOT will prepare a draft Environmental Assessment of the gated culvert alternative under the National Environmental Policy Act. The department intends to hold a public meeting on the draft Environmental Assessment in early 2024. This project should be entering the design phase by this time next year.

Additional project information is available at [link removed]. body { font-size: 1em; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; color: #333333; } ________________________________________________________________________

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